Franchisee Profile: Allen Lasky of Dallas, Texas

Name:  Allen Lasky

Location: Dallas, Texas

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am originally from Chicago but grew up in Wisconsin.  When I turned 18, I graduated and left to join the U.S. Air Force.  After I got out of the service, I moved to California and lived there for 13 years.  Then we got wise and moved to our final resting spot – the Great State of Texas.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: I have been in aviation my whole life.  I started as an aircraft electrician in the Air Force.  I stayed in aviation after I got out and did everything from working on engines to overhauling aircrafts.  After many years as a mechanic, I moved to quality control (QC) as an inspector and spent majority of my career in aviation in this role.  Incidentally, I have never worked for a large airline; I always worked for independent repair stations or aircraft manufacturers.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: I always wanted to be in business for myself.  I looked into different concepts, such as video stores and ice cream shops, but I wasn’t really prepared to undertake those types of ventures while raising a family.   Plus, it was hard to imagine myself renting out DVD’s or scooping ice cream on a day-to-day basis. 

Then, two years ago, I went through a drastic transformation and found something I was passionate about.  I was 51 years old, weighed 230 pounds and was at 30% body fat.  The realization that I wasn’t in shape and aging terrified me, so I joined a gym and hired a trainer.  Now at 53 years old I am in the best shape of my life at 165 pounds 8.2% body fat.

As part of my transformation I discovered nutritional supplementation from MMSN. The franchising opportunities caught my eye.  I originally started looking to purchase a franchise about a year ago but wasn’t in the financial and career position to do so at that time.  So I put the idea on the backburner but, in the meantime, I got my financial and job situation squared away.  On the job front, I was travelling a lot and couldn't dedicate the time to prepare for starting a franchise.  After some time, I got to this point and decided to take the opportunity seriously, which brings me to my present situation.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: I have never run a business and liked their business plan and franchisee support.  It’s a turnkey operation.  Don’t let the term “Turnkey Operation” fool you, though; it’s also a lot of work, but a lot of the work has also been done on the front end by MMSN.  So I thought it would be the best way for me to go into business for myself.  Along with the training MMSN will provide (and it’s a lot!), they will prepare me well for opening my business. I am so excited; it’s all I think about all day long! My family will be involved. My daughter-in-law will be my manager.  I went into this with the thought of having my family involved and that is very important to me.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: In every prior position I’ve held, I’ve managed to move into supervisory positions and find success.   It’s probably because I know how to deal with people and run a quality department. I am a fast learner and my attitude and my enthusiasm is going to serve me well. 

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A: I have to learn about business and about dealing with people from a different angle than I have been accustomed.  In addition, I could not secure a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan due to collateral rules in Texas (the Texas Homestead Act prevents banks from seizing homes, which are traditionally used as collateral on loans in most other states). 

However, this ended up being a blessing because in the process I learned about a way to roll my retirement funds into a 401(k) trust, and so I am funding my business from my retirement funds.  Therefore, when my business is open it will be paid for, and I will just have operating costs to deal with. Some may question sinking all of my retirement savings into this business, and to that I would answer “this is my retirement”.  If I were working for another company, I would look to retire in thirteen years.  Because I own my own business and am in great shape, I will probably never retire.  Putting my retirement funds into this business is a risk, but I think it is a good risk.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: When I set out to do something, I really put everything into it.  A lot of the things I have learned over the years in my career are self-taught.  Aside from the obvious point of getting into shape during a time when most are out of shape, I am also proud of my prior aviation history and the way it will serve me in business.  For example, I was appointed as a designee by the Federal Aviation Administration to do work on their behalf, which is not an easy designation to get.  So whenever I put my mind towards something, I get it done.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: We are hoping to expand at 3-5 years down the road. Of course that will depend on the success of my store.

ABOUT MAX MUSCLE SPORTS NUTRITION:

Established in 1991 by former NFL linebacker Joe Wells, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition (MMSN) is America's premier sports nutrition retail outlet and franchise system, selling a combination of scientifically proven nutritional supplements at more than 150 outlets in 32 states. Rated by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top Retail Franchise 2010, a Top 500 Franchise 2010 and by Military Times Magazine as a 2010 Best for Vets business, MMSN provides a one-of-a-kind in-store experience through its unique design and one-on-one customer counseling from extensively trained Certified Fitness Nutrition Coaches™. MMSN's aggressive expansion plans include offering its unique opportunity to qualified, business-savvy candidates. For more information, call 888-MAX-MUSCLE ext. 2 or visit maxmusclefranchise.com.

MMSN featured in The Business Times

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in an article in The Business Times called “Nutritional supplement business flexes its muscles.” In the article, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition owners Mary Leeds and Donnie Tanner discussed their new opening in Grand Junction and all of Max Muscle Sports Nutrition’s superior products. Mary and Donnie also talked about the personalized approach that Max Muscle Sports Nutrition takes to educating clients on the products based on their needs. The end of the article highlights the expansion of Max Muscle Sports Nutrition throughout Mary and Donnie’s area and their hopes to open another location within a year. Click here to view the full article!

Nutritional supplement business flexes its muscles
by Phil Castle

Mary Leeds and Donnie Tanner consider themselves a fairly good representation of the demographic they expect their new Grand Junction business to serve.

Leeds competes in fitness events, while Tanner maintains a hectic schedule as a crop duster, farmer and volunteer fireman. That’s not to mention their responsibilities as parents. The two say the nutritional supplements they sell at Max Muscle Sports Nutrition help them with all of their endeavors and also can help a range of customers — from elite athletes to recreational enthusiasts to people who want to enjoy better health. “It’s for all lifestyles, not just gym rats,” Tanner said.


(Read More)

MMSN featured with the Central Valley Business Times

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in a segment called “This franchise has real muscle behind it” with the Central Valley Business Times. The segment features Mark Sarale, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition regional director and franchisee discussing his location in Stockton and the products and personalized services that Max Muscle offers. Mark talks about the product quality that sets Max Muscle Sports Nutrition apart from their competition and the outstand customer service that is provided. He also speaks on the certified nutrition coach’s that Max Muscle Sports Nutrition offers and gives a detailed insight into what it takes to become a franchisee. Click here or look below to view the segment!

MMSN featured on FranchiseHelp.com

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in an article on FranchiseHelp.com called “How Franchising Saved A Retired Military Veteran.” The article discusses how Bill Porter decided to become a Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchisee after retiring from the military as a way to continue utilizing his skills that he had acquired while in the service. Bill discussed why he chose Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, how his military background has given him a business advantage, why franchising is a great option for veterans and how he overcame financing obstacles. Click here to view the full article!


How Franchising Saved A Retired Military Veteran
Submitted by Christy


Max Muscle franchisee Bill Porter was a retired military veteran who wasn’t particularly interested in becoming a business owner. However, after observing many of his retired military friends fall under the grip of depression and, sadly, survive only 3 to 4 years after retiring from the military, Porter decided his path would be different. Although Porter had no previous franchise experience, his background as a master fitness instructor and a recently discovered enthusiasm for nutrition drew Porter to open up a Max Muscle franchise.

In this interview, FranchiseHelp.com contributor Christy Harvey dives in to find out how this retired military veteran capitalized on his philosophy of “not getting old” to open a successful Max Muscle franchise business.

(Read More)

MMSN featured in The Press-Enterprise

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in The Press-Enterprise in an article called “Max Muscle franchise expands to Moreno Valley.” The article features Austin Browne, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchisee, discussing his expansion into Moreno Valley after opening the successful Riverside store. The article discusses the economic upturn and how it prompted Austin to begin expansion. Also, Austin talks about hopes for opening yet another location in the area and how he is beating the odds by expanding and building clientele in a economy still on the rise. Click here to view the full article!

Max Muscle franchise expands to Moreno Valley
By PE Business

Austin Browne spent 10 years as a sheet metal mechanic in the aerospace industry and another 10 as a maintenance mechanic, but what he really loved was nutrition and fitness.

Eight years ago he turned his personal passion into a business, opening a Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchise in a 1,200-square-foot space on Trautwein Road in Riverside. He was on the verge of leasing a second site in Moreno Valley for another franchise a couple of years ago, but the economy's abrupt and alarming turn caused him to step back and re-examine.


(Read More)

Never Give Up: How One Max Muscle Mom Fought To Heal Her Son’s Autism

Watching a child blossom into a happy, healthy individual is every parent’s dream. There is nothing more joyful or rewarding. For Kristin Wood, that dream morphed into a nightmare when her son – who seemed completely healthy and normal at birth – started drifting into another world as a result of autism.

The 44-year-old mother-of-two knew something was wrong with Logan when he was an infant. She noticed he was developmentally delayed compared to other babies his age. But it wasn’t until kindergarten that his odd behavior played out in everyday social situations.

“There was a fog around his intelligence and he had a hard time connecting with other kids,” says Wood, who owns Max Muscle Sports Nutrition stores in Manassas and Fairfax, Virginia. “He couldn’t carry on a conversation, he didn’t understand humor and he couldn’t perform well in school. When I would look him in the eyes, he would just give me this glassy-eyed stare. It’s like he wasn’t really ‘there.’”

Thus began a heart-wrenching six-year quest to find out what was wrong with Logan. Wood sought help from countless doctors, therapists, academic counselors, psychologists, social workers and physical and occupational therapists, but with very little results. Some experts even told Wood that her son “just wasn’t that smart” and that his troubling behavior was all in her head.

Logan was put on brutal medications that often made him sick. Eight months of intensive antibiotic treatment left him extremely fatigued and nauseous. He was almost failing in school. The family had accumulated some $30,000 in medical bills. And then everything hit rock bottom one day.

Logan would often fly into fits of rage spurred on by seemingly insignificant things like a slight change in routine or an adjustment to the day’s schedule. “I told him we weren’t going to the post office because I found a stamp, for example, and he just completely lost control,” Wood remembers. “He was rabid. He would spit, throw things, break glass, punch holes in walls and use vile language. It was like he was possessed.”

Wood and her husband had to ask themselves, “Can we allow our son to live here?” When someone is that out of control, anything could be a weapon, she thought. “It’s so devastating for a parent when a child has these kinds of issues,” Wood says.

Then fate intervened. A social development therapist suggested 12-year-old Logan had Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism which experts believe affects 3 out of every 10,000 children in the United States. At first, Wood was skeptical. Then she came across a series of books written by actress Jenny McCarthy, including “Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism.” In it, McCarthy chronicles her own odyssey with finding a cure for her son’s debilitating autism. She identifies alternative treatments – like a gluten-free, casein-free diet and nutritional supplements – as key factors in his recovery.

“I’m not a doctor and I know it’s controversial, but I was willing to try anything,” says Wood, who also has a 14-year-old son. There was also the discovery of Dr. Warren M. Levin, a physician legendary for helping to treat autism – and he lived only a half mile away from Wood’s home in Vienna, Virginia. “After years and years of searching for answers, he was here all this time,” she says.

Dr. Levin diagnosed Logan with Lyme Disease (a bacterial illness which left untreated can lead to serious injury to the joints, heart and central nervous system) and Candida (an overgrowth of Candida bacteria in the digestive system can lead to symptoms including severe allergies, chemical sensitivities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—or ADHD, according to experts). He also identified a myriad of allergies to foods and pinpointed what vitamin deficiencies Logan had in his body. Once they figured out exactly what Logan needed, Wood immediately turned to Max Muscle’s nutri-tional supplements. “I know the quality of the products since I own Max Muscle stores,” she says. “So I tried those first.”

In addition to adopting a gluten-free and casein-free diet – which meant eliminating everyday foods like pastas, breads and dairy products – Logan’s new regimen included taking 48 pills per day, including Max Nutraceutical supplements CoQ10, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Max One Daily Multivitamin, Enzymes, Immune Probiotic Quattro, Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc.

They began to see changes. Though small at first, they were immediate. Logan started to sleep better. His animal-like craving for carbs stopped. He didn’t wet the bed anymore. Then, in just six months, those little changes became dramatic transformations. Logan’s social skills took a 180-degree turn. He was able to carry on a conversation and understand humor. The once shy, isolated and angry young boy started interacting with his peers, even telling jokes and being the “funny guy” in class. He went from being a C and D student to garnering straight A’s at his middle school. And the violent rages disappeared. It was nothing short of a miracle.

“It’s like he’s seeing the sun for the first time,” Wood says. “His eyes spark with life and his grin is infectious. I feel like he’s able to live his life the way he was meant to.”

But the transformation hasn’t come without a price, especially for a 12-year-old kid. Logan’s favorite foods, like pizza and pasta, are off limits. His new dairy-free diet also means no ice cream, yogurt or milk. “I can’t eat most things kids my age are eating,” Logan says. “Even though I want it, I know I’ll get real sick, so I’ll eat something else like meat or a taco.”

Before his road to recovery, Logan was overweight, had little muscle tone and very little endurance. For a boy teetering on the edge of adolescence, this led to self-consciousness and low self-esteem. But since June, he’s been visiting the gym three times a week and works out with a personal trainer. Regular exercise coupled with a strict diet has enabled Logan to shed almost 30 pounds. He’s stronger, looks leaner and feels healthier for the first time in his life. “It’s a lot better when I look in the mirror,” he says. “I like what I see.”

Wood credits Logan’s transformation to his determination and dogged perseverance. At age 12, he’s an extremely informed consumer of health and fitness, she says. He knows how to care for his body, he knows how to read labels on foods, and he’s the one who’s incorporated all the changes in his life.

“He did this,” Wood says. “He’s totally accepted it. He didn’t complain when he gave up his favorite foods or when the family had something he couldn’t eat. He went from being afraid in the gym to being totally confident and doing a workout program appropriate for his age. I can’t tell you how proud I am of all the hard work he’s put into it.”

Wood says she’s a believer in circumstances and people intertwining for a reason. She looks back on the past six years and her purpose during those dark times. “One of my greatest purposes and mission in life was to help Logan,” she says. It was also a time to rebuild her own life. She spent 18 years working as an officer in the CIA. Wood enjoyed an amazing career, one with endless opportunities that included traveling all over the world. But it was also an all-engrossing job, which left little time for her family and took a toll on her health. She recalls a 6-week span in which she was diagnosed with high cholesterol, thyroid disease and melanoma. And her mother passed away after struggling with poor health for more than a decade. “At some point, I realized I didn’t want to live the life I was living,” she says. “I needed to be there for my family. Especially Logan.”

So Wood hired a personal trainer, who eventually became her business partner and is co-owner of their Max Muscle franchises. They opened their first store in Manassas in September of 2007. A second store opened in Fairfax this past November. “It’s a feel-good business and I can be at home with my kids at the end of the day,” she says.

Owning a Max Muscle store also means getting involved in her community. Every person who walks through her doors has a story. Every person is a piece of a puzzle, she says. We are all connected to one another.

“What I really want to do is help my customers achieve their health and fitness goals,” Wood says. “From the teenage athlete who wants to gain lean muscle mass to the 80-something grandmother who wants something for a healthy heart. It’s very rewarding and challenging work. I love it.”

MMSN featured in OCMetro

MMSN was recently featured in OCMetro. The article discusses Max Muscle Sports Nutrition’s plans to expand 30 percent over the next year by adding 30 to 35 new locations nationwide. The article also cites California, Massachusetts and Texas as the next areas for development. Bill Warner, VP of Franchise Development, discusses the nation’s increasing interest in health and how this has lead to anticipation for more franchise sales. Bill also discusses Max Muscle Sports Nutrition’s approach to customers by understanding their fitness and nutrition needs and individualizing a plan to help them achieve their goals. Click here to view the full article.

Max Muscle strengthens nationwide reach: The Orange-based sports nutrition retailer plans to expand its franchises by 30 percent this year.
BY SARA FERRER

Orange-based Max Muscle Sports Nutrition seeks to expand its franchises by 30 percent in 2011, adding 30 to 35 new locations this year. The retailer and service provider is targeting new locations in California, Massachusetts and Texas; so far this year, stores in Atlanta and Washington have been added.

The expansion effort come partly as a result of an anticipated uptick in franchise sales as the nation's economy recovers and Americans become increasingly health-conscious, said Bill Warner, Max Muscle's vice president of franchise development.

(Read More)

MMSN featured in Columbus Business First

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in an article which published in Columbus Business First entitled, “Retail centers in secondary markets attract eclectic mix of tenants." In the article, Seth Protus, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchisee, discusses his opportunities for growth in the Columbus market and why he feels his business’s strategic location in a strip center will bring him success. Seth also discusses his plans to bring a total of 3 locations into the market and sites Dublin as his next prospect. Click here to view the full article!


Retail centers in secondary markets attract eclectic mix of tenants
BY Dan Eaton

Retailers and restaurateurs often clamor to locate in strip centers anchored by traffic-driving grocery stores.

That’s good news for the Olentangy Plaza on Bethel Road, which has filled its anchor grocery space that twice has been abandoned by regional names.

(Read More)

MMSN featured in Columbus Business First

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in an article which published Wednesday, March 9, 2011 in Columbus Business First entitled “Nutrition franchise muscling way into Pickerington." In the article, Seth Protus, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchisee, highlights his business as more than just a provider of quality products, but also as a consultative resource to customers. The article discusses Seth’s future plans for a location in Dublin, OH as well as Texas. The article also discusses Seth’s decision making when choosing Max Muscle Sports Nutrition over other franchises and what he expects his client base to be comprised of. Click here to view the full article


Nutrition franchise muscling way into Pickerington

The annual Arnold Fitness Expo may have come and gone again, but a new local store hopes to cultivate that health-and-fitness mindset year-round.

Seth Protus plans to open his Max Muscle Sports Nutrition franchise in Pickerington, 201 Clint Drive, March 14. It will be the only store for the Orange, Calif.-based sports nutrition retailer in Central Ohio.


(Read More)

MMSN featured in The Salt Lake Tribune

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was recently featured in an article which published in The Salt Lake Tribune entitled, “County’s 2nd Max Muscle store opens in Bountiful." In the article, James Gustason discusses the type of customer service they expect to maintain and how important it is to know your clients on an individual level. The article also specifies that this is only the 2nd location in Utah, implying that there is plenty of room left for growth in the market! Also, the article features Bill Warner speaking about customers who have Type II diabetes and how Max Muscle Sports Nutrition can help them choose products that will help them effectively deal with the disease. Bill also highlights that Max Muscle Sports Nutrition is a consultative business at heart. The article also states that there are 11 other locations under development and highlights Max Muscle Sports Nutrition as a company that is more about food based programs and products rather than pills and capsules. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

County’s 2nd Max Muscle store opens in Bountiful
BY JOHN KEAHEY

Folks in south Davis County who want to start working out, already are in an exercise regimen or are athletes wanting to build muscle without steroids now can go to a new Max Muscle Sports Nutrition store in Bountiful, one of the latest in a national chain of 152 franchisee-owned outlets.

On March 1, James Gustason opened his store at 416 W. 500 South, the county’s second. Along with a store owned by another franchisee in Layton that opened in 2008, the two are the only Max Muscle outlets in Utah.

(Read More)

MMSN featured on Franchise Interviews

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition was featured this morning on a national radio show called Franchise Interviews. Bill Warner, VP of Franchise Development, and Kristin Wood, franchisee, discussed all facets of the MMSN franchise system, including how MMSN is evolving the sports nutrition retail space, who makes great franchisees for the brand, and its growth plans for the coming year and future plans as well. Click here to listen to the full interview!

http://www.franchiseinterviews.com/id152.html